Ploughing stays in Midlands after great spin in Laois

The National Ploughing Championships is set to stay in the midlands with conformation of the new location for the 2025 event by the National Ploughing Association after four years in Laois.

There had been widespread speculation that Offaly would succeed Laois as the 2025 host county after the curtain came down on four years on the Carter farm in Ratheniska.

The NPA has confirmed that the event is returning to Screggan near Tullamore on September 16th, 17th, 18th next year.

The Ploughing was held on the same farm in 2016-2017-2018 hosted by the late Joe Grogan. His wife Lisa Flaherty Grogan will host the 2025 event with additional lands being made available for ploughing and parking from many neighbouring farmers.

The NPA says the three day event is set to bring millions into the local economy mainly through the hospitality industry but also using many local services to build an event that requires upwards of 700 acres. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The NPA say they are excited to be going back to Offaly in 2025. Laois woman and NPA Managing Director  Anna May McHugh is looking forward to it.

"There will be many of the old favourite elements to the programme but also some new attractions in 2025,” she said.

The announcement was made in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore and attended by members of the NPA Executive Committee, landowners, Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach and CEO, Laois Offaly Gardai and members of Offaly Ploughing.

Laois has hosted the event since 2021. It was last held outside the county in 2019 in Carlow. Covid caused it to be cancelled in 2020 and scaled back in 2021.

The final year in the Laois series proved a huge hit thanks to spectacular weather.